The 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft sits on the tarmac at Ellington Airport Monday afternoon waiting to begin the journey to Space Center Houston where it will become a permanent exhibit.

The 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft sits on the tarmac at Ellington Airport Monday afternoon waiting to begin the journey to Space Center Houston where it will become a permanent exhibit.

Photo: KIRK SIDES

Image 2 of 3

Workers remove a fence to allow the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft to begin its journey from the tarmac at Ellington Airport to Space Center Houston where it will become a permanent exhibit in Houston.

Workers remove a fence to allow the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft to begin its journey from the tarmac at Ellington Airport to Space Center Houston where it will become a permanent exhibit in Houston.

Photo: KIRK SIDES

Image 3 of 3

Getting ready for the big move

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

HCN STAFF REPORT

Crews were making final preparations to move the Boeing 747 shuttle carrier from Ellington Field to Space Center Houston beginning Monday night. The move was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. and continue until 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, when the convoy will stop until the second leg of the journey Tuesday night.

Moving 318,000 pounds of aircraft parts nearly eight miles will take more than a determined education foundation; in fact Space Center Houston is teaming with 30 public, private and government agencies to “bring the legacy home” -- many of whom offered their services at little or no charge.

The Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and space shuttle replica Independence will be joined to become an international landmark, opening in 2015. The attraction will stand over eight stories tall and feature interactive educational exhibits inside the shuttle and jumbo jet. Visitors will enter the shuttle while it is mounted in the ferry configuration over 60 feet off the ground - an experience unique in the world. The exhibit will explore the remarkable history of the shuttle program and how it is shaping current NASA initiatives to explore asteroids, the moon, Mars and beyond.

The Boeing 747 shuttle carrier airplane will be transported in a 1,000-foot-long convoy, traveling only at night and moving at the speed of a person walking. The largest piece in the convoy will be the fuselage segment of the 747, measuring 25 feet wide and 35 feet tall. The length of 190 feet is roughly the height of Niagara Falls or as long as two NBA basketball courts.

“Our primary concern during the move is for the safety of our community and the workers involved. We also are working diligently to minimize impact on our neighbors,” said Richard Allen Jr., president and CEO of Space Center Houston. “The relocation of the 747 will be a grand sight, but we want to make sure everyone affected is fully prepared for the road closures.”

Texas Highway 3 from Scarsdale to NASA Parkway will close 9 p.m. April 28 to 4:30 a.m. April 29. NASA Parkway from Highway 3 to Saturn Lane will close 9 p.m. April 29 to 4:30 a.m.

An interactive road map showing road barricades and the full route, along with more information on the move and the 747, is on Space Center Houston's website at www.spacecenter.org/bigmove.

Visitors to the page can see the convoy's location because of a GPS tracking device on the main fuselage which is linked to the map.